Drs. Sherwin Ho and Lewis L. Shi, in collaboration with Dr. T.-C. He, are investigating possible gene therapy approaches to enhancing tendon and ligament healing using recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing BMPs and/or other biological factors. They have demonstrated that BMP-13 can significantly improve the biomechanical properties of lacerated flexor tendons in a rabbit model while BMP-14 is also shown to significantly improve the biomechanical properties of lacerated flexor tendons in a rabbit model. Based on time-course studies of gene expression after tendon injury, they identified several factors that may work alongside BMP-13 and BMP-14 at different stages of tendon healing. Dr. Lewis L. Shi Is also investigating biological factors that may improve the healing of rotator cuff injuries.